Stephen Farrall

@stephenfarrall.bsky.social

790 followers 84 following 560 posts

Criminologist (offending careers; politics & crime; homicide; fear of crime) & cyclist (MTBs + Brompton). S11 & NG7.

Sociology qualifications: BSc/MSc (Surrey)
Law qualifications: DPhil (Oxford); GCSE (graded at U 🤣).

https://stephenfarrall.substack.com .. more

Videos

Political science 45%

Sociology 34%

Posts Replies Media Videos

Reposted by Stephen Farrall

Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge @cambcriminology.bsky.social · 12h

Join Professor @stephenfarrall.bsky.social for this year's first Lent Term public seminars on 12 February, titled 'The effects of New Labour’s social policy agenda on crime over the life-course'.

Learn more and apply: www.crim.cam.ac.uk/events/explo...

A poster advertising a public seminar by Professor Stephen Farrall.

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · 4d

Terrible news, Chris.

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · 7d

Yet more joys of Thatcherism (the gift that keeps on giving):

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

What happens when the taps run dry? England is about to find out | Aditya Chakrabortty

It’s not just Tunbridge Wells – a country famous around the world for its rain is in danger of self-imposed drought, says Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Stephen Farrall

The Sociological Review Foundation @thesociologicalreview.org · Dec 29

CALL: seminar funding for 2026

The Foundation is inviting submissions for its 2026 Undisciplining Seminar Series exploring who and what sociology is for.

Submit your proposal by 31 January for public events focusing on the transformative potential of sociological thinking.

➡️

The Undisciplining Seminar Series 2026 Call for applications

The Sociological Review Foundation invites proposals for its 2026 Undisciplining Seminar Series exploring “Who and what is sociology for?”

buff.ly

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Dec 17

"Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way" Pink Floyd.

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Dec 17

Can’t wait to see it out, Glen!

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Dec 5

Unless #government policy towards UK #Universities changes very soon, you will sees numerous already struggling towns and cities become something close to “skilled labour deserts”. In many towns and cities universities are big employers, employing many on medium and lower incomes.

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Dec 5

Dear Juliet,

It would help struggling #universities in all #towns and #cities if your government took this situation seriously. Universities are motors of prosperity & advancement. #Labour is presiding over the collapse of a sector worth £bns to the #UK #economy.

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Nov 16

This AM’s MTB ride:

strava.app.link/yQFjcIWrlYb

strava.app.link

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Oct 30

... and I've just ordered my copy now!

Thanks Glen, looking forward to reading this ahead of our @leverhulme.ac.uk grant on #NewLabour 's policy legacies next March. Great that you're on our steering committee too - many thanks again.

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Oct 28

The #Tories are in the “centre ground”?!? Eh?

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

John Major tells Tories alliance with Reform would be ‘beyond stupid’

Former PM says a pact would destroy the Conservatives for good and urges them not to desert centre ground

www.theguardian.com

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Oct 28

Looking forward to the 3rd term, then? 😉

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Oct 27

You know, aside from #TheOrangeTrumpet being in office, another thing which puts me off going to the #USA , sadly, is their health policy, or lack thereof.

#vaccine #academicsky #POTUS
#WhiteHouse #covid #governmentshutdown #US #Trump #morons

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Threat to US vaccines as CDC staff supporting key advisory panel laid off

Critics say scientists ‘held hostage’ by RFK Jr as changes mean vaccine development and guidance in peril

www.theguardian.com

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Oct 26

This is interesting news:

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

They’re right. #Thatcher’s right to buy was a disaster - we wrote abt the effects in terms of crime here:

academic.oup.com/bjc/article/...

#academicsky #housing #crime #politics #thatcherism #legacies

Right to buy in reverse: how Brighton is tackling its social housing crisis | Richard Partington

The council is rolling back Thatcher’s flagship policy by buying stock from private landlords. Other local authorities should take note

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Stephen Farrall, Dave O’Brien

Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · Oct 24

**NEW** You can now pre-order my book on the domestic policies of the Blair governments for just £14... All you need do is type in EVENT30 at checkout! What a bargain. Do spread the word if you think a historical look at Labour govts might help: manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526146328/

Manchester University Press - New Labour, New Britain?

New Labour, New Britain? - Browse and buy the Hardcover edition of New Labour, New Britain? by Glen O'Hara

manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Oct 22

#KierStarmer really does have some sort of #ReverseMidasTouch doesn’t he? Everything he says turns out to be little better than Bloke in a Pub type analysis. Another self-inflicted error. No political nouse at all.

#Maccabi #AstonVillaFC #AcademicSky

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Intelligence on ‘extreme’ Maccabi fans with history of violence led to Villa Park ban

Exclusive: West Midlands police were told supporters randomly attacked Muslims in Amsterdam last year

www.theguardian.com

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Oct 20

You're quite right! The only real, sustainable solution would be for the Govt to pay universities the additional money needed - which is what used to happen before £9k were introduced.

My thoughts here (a year old, but still about right, I think):

stephenfarrall.substack.com/p/my-thought...

My Thoughts on The University Funding Crisis:

What might the university financial crisis mean for Labour's chances at the next Election?

stephenfarrall.substack.com

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Oct 20

I wrote this about a year ago. Aside from some £ figures, it is still largely correct:

stephenfarrall.substack.com/p/my-thought...

My Thoughts on The University Funding Crisis:

What might the university financial crisis mean for Labour's chances at the next Election?

stephenfarrall.substack.com

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Oct 13

Hope all is going well Tim. Great that you are teaching again! 👏

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Oct 13

Want a quick summary of some #Thatcher ‘s impact on #UK #society? You could start here 👇

#academicsky #politics #ConservativeParty #Thatcherism #neoliberalism #neo-liberalism #BigIssue #TheBigIssue #crime #housing #schooling #transport #sociology #criminology

www.bigissue.com/news/politic...

Margaret Thatcher's legacy continues to cast its long shadow

Britain is still living the consequences of the ideas Margaret Thatcher injected into British political discourse and policymaking.

www.bigissue.com

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Oct 13

It is 100 years since #Thatcher was born. Read my thoughts on her legacy in this week's #TheBigIssue here:

#Thatcherism #politics #crime #housing #trains #TonyBlair #schooling #neoliberalism #neo-liberalism #UK #Conservatives #Tories #ConservativeParty #GreenParty

www.bigissue.com/news/politic...

Margaret Thatcher's legacy continues to cast its long shadow

Britain is still living the consequences of the ideas Margaret Thatcher injected into British political discourse and policymaking.

www.bigissue.com

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Oct 13

Read my thoughts on the legacy of #Thatcher and #Thatcherism here (courtesy of the #BigIssue ):

www.bigissue.com/news/politic...

Margaret Thatcher's legacy continues to cast its long shadow

Britain is still living the consequences of the ideas Margaret Thatcher injected into British political discourse and policymaking.

www.bigissue.com

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Oct 13

100 years ago today, #Thatcher was born. The #BigIssue have written this about her (and to which I have contributed):

www.bigissue.com/behind-the-s...

Inside the Big Issue: Thatcher at 100

This week marks the centenary of Margaret Thatcher’s birth. In this week's Big Issue, we dive into her legacy.

www.bigissue.com

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Oct 13

See here also:

www.bigissue.com/behind-the-s...

Inside the Big Issue: Thatcher at 100

This week marks the centenary of Margaret Thatcher’s birth. In this week's Big Issue, we dive into her legacy.

www.bigissue.com

Reposted by Stephen Farrall

Will Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · Oct 13

It is 100 years since the birth of Margaret Thatcher. In what ways did 'Thatcherism' change Britain? A while back for an ESRC research project, we collaborated with documentary maker Michelle Coomber on a film about the long-term social and economic impacts of the Thatcher governments.

Generation Right

In what ways did 'Thatcherism' change Britain? What, if any, legacy is there from her period in office for British society today? How ought we to make…

vimeo.com

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Oct 8

Coz nothing says “productivity” like a thumping headache on a Thursday morning.

www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Pubs to stay open until early hours in push for UK growth

Exclusive: Plans for England and Wales would help ailing hospitality sector but health experts criticise plans

www.theguardian.com

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Oct 6

#Jenrick appalled that #whitepeople do not live in impoverished areas, rather than the fact that some Black British people have to.

#ToryBoy #Tories #inequality

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Robert Jenrick complained of ‘not seeing another white face’ in Birmingham neighbourhood

Shadow justice secretary criticised for suggesting he could tell how integrated Handsworth was based on short visit

www.theguardian.com

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Oct 5

It does strike me as ironic that the #USA got rid of #King GeorgeIII only to elect this insane, wannabe-King and total doofus a mere 240 years later!

#TheOrangeTrumpet
#POTUS #Trump #WhiteHouse #RamblingFool

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

‘The president is unhinged’: Trump’s online behavior grows increasingly odd

The US president’s recent behavior is strange to many, from reposting a false AI video of himself to confusing comments during press conferences

www.theguardian.com

Stephen Farrall @stephenfarrall.bsky.social · Oct 4

Emily Gray did all the work!

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